On July 27, 2017, our youth stunned the audience with their performances at the Temple Terrace Poetry Coffee House. One by one, Club members took the stage to recite the poems they wrote themselves. While some members opted for a funny poem, others used the opportunity to express their dreams, fears and appreciation for the Club.

We hope you’ll enjoy the poems as much as we did.

She grew up only knowing abandonment. She grew up with fear. She grew up with a fight. She grew up having to already be grown. She went without a mother. She went with her dad. She chose strength. She chose optimism. She chose happiness. She wanted to make him proud. She is brave. She is unique. She is proud. She is persistent. She is strong. She is beautiful. She inspires. She makes him proud. She is me!

Rayna, 17

Roses are red, and violets are blueWe love Temple Terrace, and so should you

At the Club, we learn new thingsFun and joy is what it brings

They teach us how to act right
They teach us how to not fight

We are a family, we make a great teamWhen we walk in the Club, it’s like a dream

Boys & Girls Clubs keeps us safeBoys & Girls Clubs makes us great

Jeira, 8, Vanessa, 7, Zahara, 6, Aurencia, 8

Cake has many layers like earth Cake has many flavors like people in the world To be honest, the best thing with birthdays is the cake The only reason I go to birthday parties is for cake If they don’t have cake, I’ll make excuses that I can’t go for some reason Also tell my friends I will only go for cake I wish cake could be healthy Cake is like a friend Sometimes you can’t have enough cake

We recently asked our graduating senior members of the Walt Disney World Clubhouse to write about their plans for the future, and to comment on what BGCCF has meant to them. We were both inspired by and impressed with their responses, and we think you will be, too:

My name is Omari Daniel. I’ve been a Boys and Girls Club member for 11 years. Coming to the Club has allowed me to be unique, showcase my different talents, and create long-lasting friendships that will never fade. If I never came to my Boys and Girls Club, I probably would not be in the amazing situation I am in now. I could have picked friends from the wrong group and my life could have been drastically different. As a senior at Evans High School, I have chosen to go to Florida Atlantic University to study Film and Video Editing. Without coming to the Club, I would not have had the staff that wanted better for me and the staff who wanted me to succeed.

My name is Alexa Baires-Jovel and I attend Evans High School. After graduation I will be attending Rollins College to study social entrepreneurship. During my time at the Club I was involved in Keystone, Robotics and Junior Staff. Being involved at the Club has helped me gain many life changing opportunities such as getting a full-ride scholarship to Rollins. If I would have never walked into the Boys & Girls Club, I wouldn’t be able to attend college for free or be the person I am today.

My name is Alize Walker I am graduating from Evans High School and will be attending Valencia College in the fall of 2017. I’ll be going to Valencia for two years and then plan to transfer over to UCF to learn to become an animator. Boys & Girls Clubs has done so much for me through the ArtScience prize, which has been one of my favorite programs. The Club has impacted my life greatly. I met so many new people and a few have become my most valued friends.

My name is Amber Jones and I am graduating from Maynard Evans High School on May 24th, 2017. I plan to attend the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, NY to earn my Associate’s Degree in Pastry Arts and my Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Management. With these degrees, I plan to start a bakery of my own and be trained as a pastry chef. My Boys & Girls Club has helped me discover my creative spirit that I will continue to feed as I venture into this new stage in my life. With programs such as drama, culinary and art, I was able to find what I was really passionate about and I was able to create a foundation of people willing to support me and my dreams.

My name is Elahlime Lindor. When I graduate from Evans High School, I will attend Valencia College majoring in business management. Going to college was one of my goals in high school and now that I’m able to achieve this I am so happy. I have a lot of people to thank, especially the Walt Disney World Clubhouse staff. My Boys & Girls Club played a huge role in helping me in the process of going to college. I can even say if it wasn’t for the staff’s help I wouldn’t even be planning on going to college. I wouldn’t be able to see the potential I have if I didn’t go to the Club. Thank you to all those people who helped me reach my goal. I won’t let you down!

My name is Rebecca Jean-Louis and I attend Orlando Baptist Temple Prep. After I graduate in May, I plan on attending Valencia College where I will major in sociology, in hopes of becoming a social worker. I am proud to say that I am Youth of the Year at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse, and due to this great accomplishment, many doors have been opened to me that I am extremely grateful for. I know for a fact that without my Boys & Girls Club, I wouldn’t be on this successful path. Without Boys and Girls Clubs, I wouldn’t have a place to go to for love, support and mentoring. Thank you to everyone who makes the Boys & Girls Club possible and for creating bright futures for teens like me!

My name is Rashaad Poleon and I go to Evans High School. After I graduate, I will attend Valencia College in the Bridges to Success program. I will be studying zoology. Going to college was important to me and my family and I owe everything to Boys & Girls Clubs, who helped me get there. Boys & Girls Clubs encouraged me to participate in Club programs. They pushed me to keep trying, and that made me a better person for the future. I will go to UCF after my two years at Valencia. I have to give thanks to Boys & Girls Clubs for making me the person I am today.

Hi, my name is Solomon Lamar. I have been attending the Walt Disney World Clubhouse since the age of 6. The Club was a second home for me–a place filled with laughter and fun. The Club truly impacts our youth’s futures with quality programs. The Club put me on the path to success and will help me with my post-secondary education. Starting this summer I will be attending the college on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, Florida–Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. I will be majoring in Business Administration. On my climb to greatness I will not forget who met me at certain checkpoints along the way—especially the Club. I am grateful for everything they have blessed me with and I will continue to make my Club proud.

]]>http://www.bgccf.org/graduates-look-to-the-future/feed/0DUELING DRAGONS JOINS BGCCFhttp://www.bgccf.org/dueling-dragons-joins-bgccf/
http://www.bgccf.org/dueling-dragons-joins-bgccf/#respondWed, 14 Jun 2017 16:48:04 +0000http://www.bgccf.org/?p=4299We are delighted to announce that the highly successful “Dueling Dragons” dragon boating program is now part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. Now in its 7th season, Dueling Dragons has merited national publicity by pairing Orlando Police officers with at-risk youth to form winning dragon boating teams. Until now, the program has been entirely operated by volunteers under the administration of local philanthropist and business woman Andrea Eliscu, who will remain involved after the merger.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dueling Dragons,” said Gary Cain, President & CEO of BGCCF. “This program has an amazing track record at establishing trust between law enforcement and at-risk youth, which has long been a goal of BGCCF.”

According to Eliscu, “This partnership is a win/win for both organizations. Boys & Girls Clubs will absorb a vital and successful program that directly aligns with its mission, and Dueling Dragons will gain the infrastructure and stability needed for longevity and expansion.”

Going forward, the existing “cops and kids” boat will remain intact; a second boat of Orlando City firefighters and BGCCF Club members will be formed. All teams will compete in local and regional competitions.

“Family Day” will take place on Saturday, July 22, from 10-2 at Lake Fairview, when both teams, and their families, will gather to celebrate the ‘marriage’ of Dueling Dragons and BGCCF.

Click here to see BGCCF Staff members try their hand at dragon boating:

On Wednesday, April 12th, all fourteen of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida After School Zone sites came together to showcase their companies and inventions in the 4th Annual Young Entrepreneur Shark Tank Event. This program encourages youth in the community to come together, develop basic entrepreneurial skills, and then put those skills into practice by presenting their product and detailed business plan to potential investors. Members worked tirelessly for months to perfect their product and build their company from the ground-up. Through this process, they had to consider company names and roles, production costs, marketing strategies and much more.

Within both the Shark Tank and the Entrepreneur Exhibit Hall, members were able to pitch their inventions and companies to peers and entrepreneurs from the community. Coming in first place in the Shark Tank, Wolf Lake Middle School presented their Fido Feeder which featured a technologically-advanced treat dispensary system for your furry friends. Runner up in The Tank, Meadowbrook Middle School, featured their SMART PACX; a product that charges a phone and has speakers for the modern-day student. In our Entrepreneur Exhibit Hall, Robinswood Middle School took home the win with their S.P.I.K.E Products; these customizable, useful item holders were the perfect organization tool for anyone on-the-go. Runner up for the Exhibit Hall was Meadow Woods Middle School with their Link Up invention! Congratulations to all of our participants for a job well done.

Overall, this event was a great experience for all involved. Members walked away with a new interest in entrepreneurialism and the necessary skills to put what they’ve learned into action. Of course, a program of this magnitude takes a community effort. The After School Zone would like to thank: Nova Southeastern University for graciously hosting our event; SunTrust Bank for their constant support and guidance through this process; The Orange County Citizens’ Commission for Children for funding the After School Zone and encouraging our members to try new things; community partners Karen Peters from Pretty on Purpose and Mike Boslet from Orlando Photo booth Events; and, finally, our wonderful judges: Connie Stafford from Heart of Florida United Way, Chris Duffy of We Throw It! LLC, Jucylene Stewart from SunTrust Bank and Angel Moreno from Inmark International, Inc. for offering their guidance and expertise to our young members.

]]>http://www.bgccf.org/middle-schoolers-swim-with-the-sharks/feed/0CTC 2017: A Triumphant Celebration!http://www.bgccf.org/ctc-2017-a-triumphant-celebration/
http://www.bgccf.org/ctc-2017-a-triumphant-celebration/#respondThu, 11 May 2017 18:19:43 +0000http://www.bgccf.org/?p=4121Frederick Douglas said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida is in the business of building strong children.

The Joe R. Lee Dancers were spectacular!

At Celebrate The Children 2017, our incredible children were center stage, hosting, dancing and singing for more than 1,000 attendees. We are deeply grateful to all of our community partners who came together to provide not only a splendid evening of celebration, but the critical financial support that will fund our operations throughout the year. This year’s event grossed more than $1 million!

Cocoa Club Member John Banks thanks Angie Sola of Walt Disney World Resort

There are many people to thank. We are particularly indebted to National Retail Properties, Tupperware Brands Corporation, United Trophy Manufacturing and Walt Disney World Resort for leading the way as our Platinum Partners. Hundreds of other companies also contributed financially or in-kind. Jacob Stuart of the Orlando Economic Partnership did a masterful job as Event Chair. The evening’s success also owes heavily to Co-Sponsor Chairs Tajuan Mills and Lisa Mihelich and Auction Chair Warren Christie, as well as members of the CTC committee and Board of Directors. BGCCF’s outstanding staff and volunteers worked diligently to plan and execute a flawless event.

Our ongoing Support A Club Member campaign received a substantial boost from the Martin Andersen – Gracia Andersen Foundation and Peacock-Griffey Automotive, who offered matching grants totaling $65,000. CTC attendees gave generously to help meet this match. The combined $130,000 will fully fund summer programming for approximately 130 Club members living in distressed neighborhoods.

Kiwanis Club of Orlando’s Tom Porter, State of Florida Youth of the Year Arianna Montrose, and Club member Omar Warren

State of Florida Youth of the Year Arianna Montrose, who hails from our Poinciana Branch, served as keynote speaker. She expressed the dream we hold for each one of our more than 13,000 Club members: “Boys & Girls Clubs really did inspire and enable me to reach my full potential. The Club has shaped my character, motivated my studies, and molded my future. I am confident for the possibilities my future holds.”

Though Celebrate the Children 2017 lasted but a single evening, the goodwill and optimism generated by the event will carry us through to our next celebration. See you in 2018!

]]>http://www.bgccf.org/ctc-2017-a-triumphant-celebration/feed/0Meet Our 2017 State of Florida Youth of the Year: Arianna Montrosehttp://www.bgccf.org/meet-our-2017-state-of-florida-youth-of-the-year-arianna-montrose/
http://www.bgccf.org/meet-our-2017-state-of-florida-youth-of-the-year-arianna-montrose/#respondWed, 12 Apr 2017 20:09:53 +0000http://www.bgccf.org/?p=4040“Like a nest is to a bird, my Club is to me.” – Arianna Montrose

portrait by DeNeff

Budding entrepreneur Arianna Montrose, an 18-year-old Senior at Liberty High School in Poinciana, is the 2017 State of Florida Youth of the Year. The 6-year member of the Poinciana Teen Center will go on to represent the State in the Southeast Regional competition this summer.

In February, the 2017 Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation Youth of the Year process began locally with selected members from 11 BGCCF branches. A panel of respected judges, all chosen for their professional leadership roles in the community, selected Arianna from a group of five finalists. Participants were evaluated based on their one-on-one interviews, academic achievements, written essays, service to Club and their “personal brand.”

As Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation Youth of the Year, Arianna competed against 18 other semi-finalists from around the state to win the State of Florida Youth of the Year title earlier this month. This is an impressive accomplishment in an organization that serves tens of thousands of teens each year.

Arianna distinguished herself from the competition with her successful track record as an entrepreneur. She is the founder and co-owner of Layers of Love, which manufactures and sells ready-to-eat cheesecakes in a jar. Through this business, Arianna earned enough money to fund a recent trip to London with her high school, and routinely donates to charitable projects.

Arianna is dually enrolled at Liberty and Valencia College, maintains a 4.2 GPA, and will be the first member of her family to attend college. A natural leader, Arianna has served as President of the Keystone Club, Captain of her school’s Speech and Debate team and Youth Director at New Horizon Bible Fellowship. She calls her choice to start attending the Poinciana Teen Center as a 12-year-old “the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Opal Walker-Warren, Arianna’s Service Director, says “Arianna does not pass up any opportunity to learn, grow, or experience something positive or new, but most of all, she enjoys serving others.”

]]>http://www.bgccf.org/meet-our-2017-state-of-florida-youth-of-the-year-arianna-montrose/feed/0BANNER WEEK FOR YOUTH OF YEAR FINALISTShttp://www.bgccf.org/banner-week-for-youth-of-year-finalists/
http://www.bgccf.org/banner-week-for-youth-of-year-finalists/#respondThu, 06 Apr 2017 21:50:00 +0000http://www.bgccf.org/?p=3971During National Boys & Girls Clubs Week here in Central Florida, blink and you’re sure to miss something! It was a whirlwind week for our Youth of the Year (YoY) finalists, and each experience was unique and wonderful!

The finalists with Lisa Bell and Ginger Gadsden

We kicked off the week with a whistle-stop tour of local TV news stations, dropping off some Boys & Girls Clubs notebooks and a hefty helping of goodwill. YoY finalists Rebecca from the Walt Disney World Clubhouse and Samantha from the Taft Branch were greeted warmly at every station. They particularly enjoyed taking a full tour of the Channel 6/WKMG Studios, arranged by Club alumnus and former West Coast Youth of the Year Lisa Bell, a Channel 6 anchor. They even got to sit in on a live newscast with Lisa and co-anchor Ginger Gadsden–very exciting!

Three of our Club members were granted very unique, high-level job shadowing experiences during Boys & Girls Clubs Week.

Arianna and Elinor Steele

Tupperware Brands provided an amazing day for Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation Youth of the Year Arianna Montrose, a high school senior from our Poinciana Teen Center. Arianna is a scholar-athlete who started her own business, Layers of Love, a cheesecake-in-a-jar company. She founded the business with a friend, and ultimately raised over $3,000 to fund a trip to London with her school. Arianna shadowed Elinor Steele, Tupperware Brands’ Vice President, Global Communications and Women’s Initiatives, during an activity-packed day! By design, her visit coincided with the company’s hosting a delegation from India, students participating in the Global Links cross-cultural exchange program, a collaboration between Tupperware Brands and Rollins College. Arianna even enjoyed some one-on-one time with Tupperware CEO Rick Goings, who has been a tremendous advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs on an international level (see Goings: Why We Give).

Rebecca at Coalition Headquarters with Shelley Lauten and Edison Rosendo.

Finalist Rebecca from our Walt Disney World Clubhouse spent the day learning all about the homelessness issue in our region, a field she hopes to work in after college. She was fortunate to shadow Shelley Lauten, CEO of the Central Florida Coalition on Homelessness, and Edison Rosendo, the Coalition’s Marketing Coordinator. Her day began at a Florida 2030 Town Meeting at Valencia’s Osceola Campus, an interactive session discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the state. Next, she spent time at two different service centers: Community Hope Center in Kissimmee and United Against Poverty in Orlando. The day ended in a way Rebecca could have only dreamed: with Shelley Lauten offering her a summer internship with the Coalition!

In the computer training lab

Walt Disney World Resort rolled out the magic carpet for Finalist Tylyiah from our Parramore Teen Extension, a high school junior who hopes to become a computer engineer. Tylyiah shadowed engineer Sarah Gonzalez, who offered an informational tour of the Dinosaur attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including a thrilling ride! Tylyiah also got to go “backstage” to the computer training lab, where engineer Charlie Orphan showed her how the robotic characters used in Disney attractions are created. Her schedule also included a fabulous lunch at the Polynesian Village’s Kona Restaurant with three young women engineers, and a couple of media interviews–an all-around magical day, capping off an all-around magical Boys & Girls Clubs Week!

]]>http://www.bgccf.org/banner-week-for-youth-of-year-finalists/feed/0NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES’ SUCCESS BENEFITS DISADVANTAGED YOUTHhttp://www.bgccf.org/national-retail-properties-success-benefits-disadvantaged-youth/
http://www.bgccf.org/national-retail-properties-success-benefits-disadvantaged-youth/#respondFri, 31 Mar 2017 21:26:51 +0000http://www.bgccf.org/?p=3964You may have never heard of National Retail Properties (NYSE:NNN), but chances are you’ve crossed their threshold dozens or even hundreds of times. That’s because the company owns more than 2,500 single tenant retail properties in 48 states. The retailers they lease to include AMC Theaters, LA Fitness, SunTrust, 7-11, Taco Bell and Advance Auto Parts. And they’re successful, increasing their dividends paid to common shareholders for 27 consecutive years.

Part of the secret to their success, according to CFO Kevin Habicht, is the corporate culture and that the company’s employees care deeply about the communities in which they live. “More important than company financial support, we encourage associates to personally get involved with various charities—giving their time, talent and treasure,” says Habicht.

In Central Florida, BGCCF has been one of National Retail Properties’ primary beneficiaries. Not only has the company been a Platinum Partner of Celebrate the Children for seven years, Habicht serves as both the board chair of the Joe R. Lee Branch in Eatonville and as a member of BGCCF’s Corporate Board.

President and CEO Gary Cain has worked closely with Habicht for years, and says “Through his board service, Kevin has lent to Boys & Girls Clubs the same business acumen that enables the remarkable success of his company. We are so fortunate to have his leadership.”

In addition to Habicht, the company’s employees have participated in countless events and fundraisers for both the Joe R. Lee Club and the larger organization.

Habicht explains his company’s commitment to BGCCF thusly: “BGCCF impacts kids early and often. There are no other organizations with the depth and breadth of involvement in kids’ lives on a daily basis.”

Not one to be content with the status quo, however, Habicht sees how much more can be done. “You want to be able to do even more for the kids, and it frequently comes back to funding,” he says. “We have over 100 children on the waiting list at our Eatonville Club. If we can expand our facilities to meet the needs of that community, without over-extending our financial resources, it will be a good day for Central Florida.”

For more information on Celebrate The Children 2017, please visit http://www.bgccf.org/news-events/celebrate-the-children/, or contact Pamela Sible at psible@bgccf.org or 407-841-6855.

We would be honored if you joined us to “blast off” Boys & Girls Club Week at one of our local Clubs! Come celebrate our outstanding youth and the dedicated people it takes to make our mission a reality.

This is a great opportunity to join together with Club professionals, board volunteers, corporations, donors, foundations and government leaders who actively partner together to reach our undeserved communities.

Following our blast off ceremonies, we will hold open houses and offer Club tours by our very talented Club members. Please help us spread the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida by inviting a friend or family member who has never been to a Club. With everyone’s support, we can open the eyes of new friends to the great work we do.